LEXINGTON, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Public, private and home school students in grades four through 12 participated today in the 27th annual Kentucky American Water Science Fair coordinated by Fayette County Public Schools at Bryan Station High School. The event included a total of 606 science projects judged by 150 professionals, as well as hands-on, educational exhibits and demonstrations coordinated by the Explorium of Lexington. More than 650 students competed.
A total of 142 students received medals for their efforts. Six students received special recognition from Kentucky American Water for demonstrating achievement in water science projects, and three students received the Urban Environmental Award, which recognizes outstanding projects related to environmental stewardship. Alltech sponsored special awards in animal sciences and Lexmark International provided Lexmark printers to first place engineering award recipients.
Lexington Mayor Jim Gray joined Kentucky American Water President Cheryl Norton and Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman in the award presentations.
Judges evaluated the student projects according to the following categories: animal sciences, behavioral and social sciences, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and planetary science, engineering, energy and transportation, environmental sciences, medicine and health sciences, microbiology, physics and astronomy and plant sciences.
Kentucky American Water initiated the science fair for junior high school students in 1985 as part of the company’s centennial celebration. The next year, the company joined with Fayette County Public Schools in coordinating the event. The fair has been expanded twice: first in 1989 to include elementary school science projects, and again in 1991 to include high school projects.
Norton emphasized to students during her comments at the awards program that this year’s science fair theme, “Science Opens Doors to New Worlds,” has certainly applied to her professional career. She started her career in the water utility industry nearly 25 years ago before she graduated from college through a part-time position outside St. Louis at the national laboratory of Kentucky American Water’s parent company, American Water. After she earned her degree she joined the lab full time, conducting a variety of research studies on drinking water issues, and eventually moved into management positions that culminated in her leading the facility. In 2007 she was named vice president of operations for Illinois American Water, and was named president of Kentucky American Water last month.
“My interest in science led me to a career in what I believe is one of the most fascinating, complex and tremendously important fields – drinking water,” Norton said. “Science certainly opened doors to interesting work and new opportunities for me, and I encourage all of today’s science fair participants to keep up the great work, because science truly can lead you to wonderful places.”
Students who received awards at today’s district competition advance to the Central Kentucky Regional Science and Engineering Fair to be held at the University of Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 19. Kentucky American Water also serves as a sponsor for that event.
Kentucky American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately half a million people.
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.
In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.